Research has proven the benefits of a positive, reliable adult male figure in children’s lives, especially boys – but only a small fraction of the boys who desperately need these role models in San Diego County have them. Voices for Children recently put out an urgent call for compassionate and empathetic men in San Diego County to step up and become volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs), according to a news release.

In San Diego County, about 50% of the 2,750 children in foster care annually are boys, but only 19% of CASA advocates are male. Currently, 32 boys in San Diego County are waiting for an advocate to be there for them, and more are entering foster care daily. There is a particularly urgent need for men of color, as well as those who are bilingual in Spanish and English.

Voices for Children trains volunteer CASAs to support youth in foster care as they navigate an often confusing and frightening time in their lives, advocating for their needs to the court. Usually, these children have suffered major abuse and trauma and have lacked reliable male figures or positive male role models in their lives. They need good experiences with men who will keep them safe, and CASAs provide that. CASA volunteers do not require any particular professional background, only a willingness to be trained and show up for their case child.

How CASAs Help

Unlike social workers, who often have heavy caseloads, CASAs are uniquely focused on only one or two children at a time. This allows them to build a trusting relationship and effectively work with social workers, caregivers, attorneys, and other professionals to ensure that a judge has all the information needed to make well-informed decisions for a child in foster care. Most importantly, they advocate for the child’s best interests and ensure their voices are heard.

Although CASA volunteers are trained and ready to advocate for any child, boys fare significantly better with a consistent, positive male influence. Research by Kyle Pruett, M.D., and Warren Farrell, Ph.D., shows that children in foster care are more likely to thrive academically, abstain from using drugs, display self-control, and relate well with others when they have a reliable and supportive male presence in their lives. Your role as a male CASA can truly make a difference in these childrens lives.

Long-time CASA Tim R. has advocated for six boys in 11 years and was selected as the CASA of the Year in 2022. While on jury duty, the Carlsbad resident learned about Voices for Children when a judge announced that he was looking for a few good men to step up and volunteer as CASAs. Tim decided to pay forward the skills he learned as a father and businessman.

CASA Tim shares in the news release, “Being a CASA doesn’t require any particular background or training. I certainly didn’t have any, outside of being the parent of two grown children and a retired founder and partner of an advertising agency. I’m supportive of my case children, but I keep it real. Boys, especially adolescents, need special attention to learn the difference between right and wrong and empathize with others. I try to lead by example and use other role models to show them what I mean.”

All of CASA Tim’s case youth have lacked a consistent male presence. Because of this, Tim says they were reluctant to trust men. However, when a CASA enters their lives and continuously shows up, they build trust over time.

The Life-Changing Impact

Anthony O., a young man who had a CASA as a child spent a third of his life in foster care and now advocates for other foster youth. Anthony was supported by his CASA, Daniel, for over a year. Anthony found a safe, permanent home with his great-grandmother through CASA Daniels advocacy. He recently graduated from UCLA and works at the SDSU Institute for Transformative Education, assisting high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue a college degree. In his role, Anthony provides these youth with academic, social, and emotional support and teaches them the importance of self-advocacy.

These are all things that CASA Daniel provided for Anthony as a child and had a lasting impact. Inspired by the first positive male role model in his life, Anthony now does the same for youth who may be in similar circumstances as he was growing up. He is grateful to CASA Daniel for helping him gain the self-confidence to know that a college diploma was achievable.

Anthony shared in the news release, “Having a male role model like my CASA Daniel was so important for me, as I never truly had a man to look up to who succeeded in a career, supported his family, and was open with his emotions and sharing them.”

As a CASA, men can provide individualized advocacy that has an immediate and sustainable impact on a child’s life. “We need men in San Diego County to speak up for boys in foster care now,” said Jessica Muñoz, ESQ., MFS, president & CEO at Voices for Children, in the news release.

Volunteering as a CASA is a concrete, actionable way to make a difference in the lives of children in your community. If you are looking for a way to give back, here is how you can step up now. Whether you are advocating in court, talking to a child’s teacher, or doing simple things like teaching a child to ride a bike or cheering them on from the bleachers at sports games, your influence has a huge potential payoff for future generations.

For more information, visit speakupnow.org.